My newest acquisition and problem child

Deep Six · Jan 31, 2026

I mentioned in my other thread that I would post some pictures once I got my new-to-me rifle in, so here she is.

WhatsApp Image 2026-01-31 at 4.38.45 PM.jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2026-01-31 at 4.37.41 PM.jpeg

She's built on a vz23(4?) action and has a custom setup on the rest. Stock, double set triggers, Leupold M8 - EER, and most importantly, a 25" barrel in 7x57!

The listing on GB mentioned it had feeding issues, then they updated it to say that they had figured it out (they didn't lol). When I got her, I fed some rounds and immediately saw that the extractor wasn't catching the rounds. It had been squared off over time, which is not uncommon on the older mausers, so I took a dremel too it and gave it a taper followed by a polish until it felt "wet."

Once that was solved, I put some more rounds in to test, but it was feeding them cocked off to the left or right. Further investigation showed that opening the bottom hinge plate and lowering the magazine spring tension helped, so I put the original "M" spring in a vice and made it a "Z" by removing a leaf. It solved the issue 100% pretty much, but now the follower and spring aren't fixed to the plate, so I went ahead and ordered another spring that was originally made for the Winchester M70 featherweights in 7x57, should have the proper tension and I'll just do some fitting to get it to work.

Plan on taking her out tomorrow maybe, if the weather holds up, but I'm very happy with the results. Beyond that, I may get a 3-screw base (it's already drilled for it) and put another old steel body Weaver K4 or an S&B on it. I haven't decided if I like the scout configuration it's in now. I also would maybe like to shorten the barrel some (down to 20") and have it threaded so that I can use a suppressor. It's hard to change how she is now, she has a look that I have not seen around too much.

Cheers!

roklok · Jan 31, 2026

Beautiful Mauser ! If it were mine I would probably leave it as is except for mounting a conventional scope over the action. I am not one to tell someone else what to do with their rifle though unless solicited. Glad you got the feeding issues squared away.

Deep Six · Jan 31, 2026

roklok said:
Beautiful Mauser ! If it were mine I would probably leave it as is except for mounting a conventional scope over the action. I am not one to tell someone else what to do with their rifle though unless solicited. Glad you got the feeding issues squared away.

I want to try it out as is, but I'm definitely leaning that way.

coreydb · Feb 1, 2026

Beautiful kit as is! wow....

Deep Six · Feb 8, 2026

Range report!

Right out of the truck with a cold barrel, it was lights out on it's first 3 shot group with regular S&B 173gr SPCE.

Unfortunately (though unsurprisingly) the next group had a flier on the last shot as the barrel reached higher temps. If I let it sit a while until it cooled completely it settled around 1-1.5 MOA on average, otherwise it was 2 good shots and one middling. Pretty good for a stalking rifle, I'd say, but she's not winning any competition matches.

Overall she likes the 173s more than the 140s, but thay makes me happy, as I've usually had rifles that were the opposite. Heavy for caliber will be the move with her.

8l

Ontario Hunter · Feb 8, 2026

Odd that it has a bolt handle bent for a scope and tapped for a one-piece base but has retained the military Mauser flag safety. I suggest a Parkwest or Wisner 3-position Model 70 style safety and shroud (~$200). Flag safety is not the most expeditious to operate and of course it will not accommodate a scope mounted on conventional 3-screw base. I have a very low discontinued Weaver 1-piece base on my 404J vz.24 with 30mm scope and it acquires instantly when the gun is mounted. I installed a Parkwest safety/shroud. Wasn't terribly complicated.

It would be difficult to switch to two-piece bases at this point. That would require welding shut the existing single screwhole on rear ring and then retapping for two screws. I have one-piece bases/rails on both my 404J and Springfield 03A3. They do not interfere with loading. Not in the least.

I would not ruin that very fine rifle cutting it down for a can. 7x57 is not a shoulder buster by any means. Cans are awkward to hunt with and if removed for hunting, the noise and muzzle jump will be unpleasant.

Deep Six · Wednesday at 6:32 PM

Small update on this project, I finally got the Weaver mounted!

I had ordered an EGW mount for it but it did not fit the look of the rifle at all, so I returned that and ordered a Warne setup. Quite happy with the results, but the eye relief and long LOP leave a little to be desired still so the scope may change along with some work on the rifle itself later in the future, but for now I'm going to see how she does and try to enjoy her!

Ontario Hunter · Thursday at 12:04 PM

Something is amiss with that scope/base setup. Look at the one-piece base setup on my vz.24 Czech Mauser above. Your rear ring is mounted way too far forward. The base seems very short. Note that the back end of my base is mounted much closer to the bolt handle. It is an older 3-hole Weaver base, now discontinued I believe. I had to modify the square Warne QD ring anchor braces to seat in Weaver rail's rounded troughs. But my scope now reattaches EXACTLY in the same spot on the rail every time. Originally I mounted a COOP USA 1-piece base and it was fine but this base is lower. I could only find COOP base in aluminum for military Mauser. A steel one was available but only for commercial Mauser. The difference being the latter is made for receiver that has the stripper hump ground down. I ordered the steel one and used Dremel tool to carve out enough of a hollow in the bottom to allow it to fit over the hump. Then sent it off with the rifle when I had the finished project blued. I switched to the Weaver base because it mounts lower. Perfect for quick acquisition with 30mm scope tube. I recommend either base and ring setup. The Weaver base is aluminum but I'm sure it will hold up fine. COOP steel base has more slots (Weaver only has one pair) and a longer cutout for loading (no slots over the cutout). It's probably the best option for you, especially for 1" tube scope. With either you will need to change the safety. Any setup that accommodates the military safety will be so high you'll have to hunt for crosshairs. Personally, I would not hesitate to switch to 3-position Model 70 style safety and shroud. Your gun is not a collectable. It's a converted Czech military rifle someone has tried to make look like a genuine commercial Mauser (added the set trigger and forward scope mount). I would also dump the set trigger. I find Timney is a better setup for hunting. Parkwest 3-position safety in the white = $210 ($40 more for blued). COOP base = ~$45. Timney trigger = $85. Everything but Weaver base found on eBay.

Edit: Keep in mind when comparing to my rifle that it has a shorter LOP. Actually a bit too short for me. I'll be adding a thicker recoil pad.

Deep Six · 2026-03-14T17:35:53-0500

Ontario Hunter said:
Something is amiss with that scope/base setup. Look at the one-piece base setup on my vz.24 Czech Mauser above. Your rear ring is mounted way too far forward. The base seems very short. Note that the back end of my base is mounted much closer to the bolt handle. It is an older 3-hole Weaver base, now discontinued I believe. I had to modify the square Warne QD ring anchor braces to seat in Weaver rail's rounded troughs. But my scope now reattaches EXACTLY in the same spot on the rail every time. Originally I mounted a COOP USA 1-piece base and it was fine but this base is lower. I could only find COOP base in aluminum for military Mauser. A steel one was available but only for commercial Mauser. The difference being the latter is made for receiver that has the stripper hump ground down. I ordered the steel one and used Dremel tool to carve out enough of a hollow in the bottom to allow it to fit over the hump. Then sent it off with the rifle when I had the finished project blued. I switched to the Weaver base because it mounts lower. Perfect for quick acquisition with 30mm scope tube. I recommend either base and ring setup. The Weaver base is aluminum but I'm sure it will hold up fine. COOP steel base has more slots (Weaver only has one pair) and a longer cutout for loading (no slots over the cutout). It's probably the best option for you, especially for 1" tube scope. With either you will need to change the safety. Any setup that accommodates the military safety will be so high you'll have to hunt for crosshairs. Personally, I would not hesitate to switch to 3-position Model 70 style safety and shroud. Your gun is not a collectable. It's a converted Czech military rifle someone has tried to make look like a genuine commercial Mauser (added the set trigger and forward scope mount). I would also dump the set trigger. I find Timney is a better setup for hunting. Parkwest 3-position safety in the white = $210 ($40 more for blued). COOP base = ~$45. Timney trigger = $85. Everything but Weaver base found on eBay.

Edit: Keep in mind when comparing to my rifle that it has a shorter LOP. Actually a bit too short for me. I'll be adding a thicker recoil pad.

Yeah, I'm not sure what the situation could be. It's a standard Warne 3-hole mauser base with their rings, but it could also be the scope or angle.

I'm going to have the safety replaced and the action/stock inspected and some of those rear sight holes filled in if I can't find a rear sight that fits it. The LOP is actually perfect for me, but I am 6'3 with long arms, so that could also be making it look a bit odd.

I actually have a Timney (which I am a huge fan of) in another Mauser and some other rifles, and while it definitely keeps things nice and simple, I really like the double set trigger. It's very crisp when set and it's very forgiving when it's not, which is handy when stalking in the brush IMO.

Appreciate all the info!

Ontario Hunter · 2026-03-14T20:15:26-0500

If it's a standard 3-hole Mauser base, the rear screw should be mounting much further back on the receiver.

Is the stripper slot filled in? It appears that's where the rear screw was tapped on your receiver. Look at this image of my rifle with standard three-hole base mounted in the usual location behind the stripper clip hump. Is there another screw hole closer to the bolt handle? Can you mount the base to that hole?

I would suggest extended rings front and back. That will allow the scope to be moved rearward further which should fix your eye relief issues. You won't be able to get extended QD rings but you don't have iron sights anyway. Just how long is the LOP?

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